Executive Director (Statewide), North Carolina, Teach For America

Executive Director (Statewide), North Carolina

Teach For America

ORGANIZATION:
Teach For America (TFA) is a bold movement of exceptional leaders who work toward educational excellence for all students by teaching for at least two years. Together with partners throughout the educational ecosystem, our network of over 70,000 alumni, corps members (first- and second-year teachers), and Ignite tutoring fellows are empowering students and helping them shape a future filled with possibility. TFA finds, develops, and supports leaders to transform education and expand opportunity for all children, working towards the “One Day” when all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

North Carolina was one of the first states to launch Teach For America in 1990 and is celebrating its 35-year anniversary in the state in its original affiliate – Eastern NC/Triangle, 20 years in Charlotte, and 10 years in the Piedmont Triad in 2025. Within NC, Teach For America places corps members and high-impact Ignite tutors in all of its regions. It is also home to over 2,100 alumni transforming education and expanding opportunity for all children in over half of North Carolina’s counties.

In early 2021, Teach For America (TFA) unified its two North Carolina affiliates, Eastern North Carolina (ENC) and Charlotte-Piedmont Triad (CPT), into a single statewide entity. This transition maintained operations across multiple markets under one statewide leader. As part of this shift, the profile for the TFA NC Executive Director role was elevated to support the integration of regions and the launch of this new model.

TFA views this era—marked by regional unification, navigating the challenges of COVID-19, and expanding impact across North Carolina—as a success. The next Executive Director will inherit a strong foundation and will be responsible for building on this progress, ensuring continued momentum, external influence, and statewide impact. TFA seeks a visionary senior leader who can demonstrate transformational leadership, strategic judgment, and a deep commitment to advancing our mission.

Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org.

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
This position will report directly to the national regional field executive with advisement/guidance from two advisory boards in Eastern NC/Triangle (ENC) and Charlotte Piedmont Triad (CPT). The ED will lead a team of local staff members from the ENC and CPT regions who engage in local program, external affairs, communications, operations, alumni engagement, development, and recruitment work.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
TFA is seeking its next Executive Director (ED) to lead the North Carolina region toward its 2030 vision. This leader will build upon a very strong foundation and work shoulder-to-shoulder with existing champions and enlist new advocates – including corps members, parents, students, community leaders, donors, and elected officials – as partners in the success of all children. The ED will be responsible for raising approximately $10+ million per year in public and private funds to support the multiple markets in the state alongside the Development team. The primary areas of focus will be accelerating efforts to achieve the 2030 goal, implementing years two and three of a multi-year strategic plan, and sustaining and enhancing our strong impact and statewide profile amidst external uncertainties. Key responsibilities will include expanding private fundraising in major markets, strengthening coalitions, and driving the expansion of innovative programs and strategies. Additionally, the leader will be tasked with continuing to revitalize recruitment efforts to support ongoing growth and success.

This role requires residency in Charlotte, NC/Mecklenburg County as a condition of employment. The successful candidate must either currently reside in this area or relocate at least 30 days before their start date.

Specific duties will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

Strategy, Innovation, and Impact

Iterate, strengthen, and execute an inspiring vision and strategy to reach our local 2030 goal.
Build relationships to inspire and galvanize action across staff, members, board, and the broader education, civic, and philanthropic communities.
Deliver impact by leveraging TFA’s central teams and maximizing local partnerships and expertise.
Act as an organizational steward to increase our impact and culture in the region.
Provide leadership, in partnership and coalition with local organizations, in pursuit of education policy and innovative solutions necessary to reach our local 2030 goal.

Fundraising and Resource Stewardship

Initiate, cultivate, and extend relationships with the organization’s portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate supporters, with an emphasis on developing new partnerships aligned to emerging strategic efforts.
Lead efforts to generate philanthropic support in collaboration with the Development team, leveraging the local TFA North Carolina board and their relationships.
Engage strategically with members of state government to ensure Teach For America’s continued ability to operate in North Carolina and ongoing support for public funding.

Board Leadership

Build and manage strong relationships and partnerships with the two advisory boards (Eastern NC and Charlotte-Piedmont Triad), particularly with the Chairs, maintaining regular and ongoing communication with each entire Board, and providing support and guidance to members to support effective governance of the organization.
Work closely and openly with the Boards, ensuring ongoing communication of risks, issues, successes, and emerging opportunities.
Build and maintain diverse regional boards and leverage board members and their networks to support financial sustainability.

Team and Organizational Leadership

Model the organization’s core values to approach challenges, ensuring the organization grows and retains its people; grow and evolve a culture that is strategic, agile, and determined to deliver for students in partnership with our communities.
Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse team of high-quality and high-impact leaders who are aligned with the mission and vision of the organization.
Lead a team of department leaders, maintaining a high degree of support and accountability to goals and outcomes in service of the mission.
Lead in a federated nonprofit model; serve as chief executive for the state and a leader within a broader national nonprofit enterprise.

Community and Coalition Building

Convene and catalyze a community-grounded coalition of champions and stakeholders to advance systems change by influencing the conversation about education, learning, and economic mobility, fueling the leadership of North Carolina alumni and community leaders and helping to cultivate the conditions required for students to thrive.

REQUIREMENTS:

A minimum of 10+ years of senior leadership experience, with the majority of that experience leading multiple senior leaders/teams within education, nonprofit, social impact, or related settings. Previous experience leading a statewide, large market, or educational, or social impact organization, preferred but not required.
Demonstrated passion, commitment, and alignment with the mission and values of Teach For America.
Strategic vision, clarity, and long-term thinking: The ability to anticipate future trends in education and develop proactive strategies to position TFA North Carolina as a leader in addressing these trends.
Resilient leadership: Proven ability to lead with composure and adaptability in times of crisis and uncertainty, maintaining focus on organizational priorities. Skilled in navigating ambiguity, making courageous decisions, while executing strategic initiatives that drive positive outcomes.
Influence and advocacy: Strong skills in influencing key stakeholders and advocating for systemic change in education, including policymakers, institutional leaders, and community influencers.
Exceptional and strategic leadership presence and communication: A dynamic and influential communicator skilled in representing the organization at high-profile events, media engagements, and with key stakeholders. Possesses exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills, with a strong ability to cultivate and maintain deep relationships across diverse audiences at all levels.
Operational excellence: A track record of executing complex, multi-faceted strategies with precision and focus on measurable results, ensuring that organizational strategies are successfully implemented and outcomes are achieved.
Financial stewardship and sustainability: Proven experience in overseeing large budgets and resources, ensuring financial accountability, sustainability, and maximizing impact in alignment with the organization’s long-term objectives.
Change management and organizational transformation: Proven experience leading organizational change and strategic shifts while ensuring alignment with core mission and values.
Previous fundraising/grant or development experience soliciting and contributing to fundraising goals; demonstrated, proven track record of fundraising and building authentic donor relationships at foundation, individual giving, and corporate levels directly.
Deep experience, curiosity, and understanding of the local educational and political context in North Carolina and knowledge of best practices and education policy and research.

LOCATION AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Given the statewide model established in 2021 and the external affairs function and leadership team being based in the Eastern NC/Triangle area, this role requires residency in Charlotte, NC/Mecklenburg County as a condition of employment. Candidates must either currently reside in this area or relocate at least 30 days before their start date. The position involves travel to the Triad and Eastern NC/Triangle regions approximately 30%-35% of the time, including occasional overnight travel for statewide and national meetings.

COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be commensurate with experience, including a competitive base salary and a competitive benefits package.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chris Shade, Consultant
[email protected]
704.377.0362

The priority deadline for applications is May 2, 2025.